Significant Weight Gain on starting CPAP

[Fruit Bat]

I have borderline severe OSA, diagnosed just under a year ago.

On starting CPAP (which has been very effective in reducing apnoeas but not tiredness), I immediately gained significant weight without any changes in lifestyle - I'm talking > 1 stone in a matter of weeks. I have been unable to shift the weight since starting CPAP.

I don't drink or smoke. I can't pretend that my diet is excellent but equally it is not appalling.

Before CPAP, I would regularly lose 3-4 pounds a night (weigh in last thing at night and first thing in the morning). I can still do this by not using the mask! Seems that the only explanation is that without CPAP, I'm doing a physical work out in my sleep.

I have also become increasingly breathless making it harder to do any form of physical exercise.

Has anyone else experienced weight gain / increased breathlessness? Any practical tips or remedies?

[James @ Intus]

Most people fluctuate a bit first, then loose weight. Apparently, from a metabolic syndrome point of view, when untreated the body is under constant stress, releasing chemicals such as cortisol which promote fat storage. When treated, the stress goes, the chemicals reduce and fat is no longer encouraged to be stowed away. That's when people start loosing pounds.

I have read in recent months that snoring and laboured breathing alone burn quite significant calories. This may be why you loose weight during sleep when on the mask but not with the mask.

However, given your continued daytime fatigue, I do wonder whether OSA aside, there are other health issues. If apnoeas are well udner control but you are still tired, that kind of says enough. Thyroid function, CFS etc. can all have similar symptoms but totally different caused. The breatlessness is common in COPD but without a smoking history, you'd have had to have worked with dodgy air quality enviroments to risk that.

So I'd start asking various medical professions some questions about all this. Nutritional therapists can help test the function of certain organs and help you improve them. Blood tests can find things like vitamin B deficiencies, which also lead to tiredness. There's basically tons of reasons for remaining tired. It's great you eliminated the OSA but it seems not enough to rely on CPAP alone. Seems to me other things me still be lurking, warranting further investigation.

[Cole15]

Nice thread.
I ask you 1 question that why you want to gain your
weight, i think if you feel strength in your body and living
a healthy life then i think you should not need to gain your
weight.

[paulloseby]

Weight gain with Cpap

Well for all the comments about not gaining weight when using Cpap, they are obviously wrong and some people DO gain weight when using the treatment. I was big but at a steady weight. Since using the machine about 12 months ago, I have gained probably another 2 stone and yet I get more exercise and eat no differently.

I am sick of the know it alls who say that it doesn't happen - well you are wrong! How many of the forum members have gained weight and have any found a way to reduce it?

Paul

[Berneta]

Weight Gain

HIi Paul--during my first year on the CPAP I gained about 1 stone---but have lost it after going on a low carb diet. I found that using the CPAP made me less tired-- and I ate more. I was awake snacking in late afternoon instead of napping. Seems to me that the CPAP and DIET should go hand in hand. Some people may lose weight--but I didn't. The gain was MY OWN fault not the CPAP's. Its easy to eat a little more when you are more awake and energetic. Love that Chocolate. xx Berneta

[andysnorer]

Well for all the comments about not gaining weight when using Cpap, they are obviously wrong and some people DO gain weight when using the treatment. I was big but at a steady weight. Since using the machine about 12 months ago, I have gained probably another 2 stone and yet I get more exercise and eat no differently.

I am sick of the know it alls who say that it doesn't happen - well you are wrong! How many of the forum members have gained weight and have any found a way to reduce it?

Paul

My weight increased from 70K to 92K before being diagnosed with OSA - pre CPAP. However, despite feeling more awake, I cannot do the sports which I previously loved - cycling, running, badminton - because I had other related conditions - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, heart problems, high blood pressure - but I do walk for a couple of hours at least on a daily basis.
My weight before Christmas was 107K, and has dropped to 98K, but I struggle to lose weight. I do not snack between meals, and very often have two meals a day.
I will make another change though, and stop eating carbs after midday. I am also constantly depressed and out of work, which does not help matters. I lost a lot of friends prior to getting diagnosed back in 2002, probably because of my behaviour (always tired and irritable) and the fact that I was too tired to socialise.
What I have learnt about OSA, is that everyone is different, and the body reacts differently from person to person.
If I could join a gym, then I could lose weight, but I cannot afford it, and the medical referral ones are not free in my area (it works out around £40 per month, plus travel costs).
The thing about CPAP, is that it is a cure but is not instant, and the body will not simply go into reverse because you are wearing the "magic mask".

Andy

[paulloseby]

Weight gain with Cpap

Many thanks for the replies but as far as I can see, the only change in my lifestyle is that I get more exercise taking our young dog out. Perhaps there is something else that I don't know about. Apparently I still snore so perhaps it isn't all as it should be

Many thanks again

Paul

[James @ Intus]

In Leicester, you should have access to the best clinics there to help you get to the bottom of it. If still snoring on CPAP, something isn't quite right.